Archive of Our Own

It had been an ordinary afternoon when Kaveh had sat down next to Alhaitham on the divan and told him that he loved him.

He had said the same thing several times before, usually when drunk, and Alhaitham had quietly pretended to forget as he brushed the hair out of Kaveh’s face and tucked a blanket around his shoulders.

This time had been different. Kaveh was sober, stumbling over his words as he tried to explain that it’s– well, I don’t think it’s romantic, I don’t know, and Alhaitham had listened, hands folded on his lap as Kaveh became increasingly convinced he was making a complete and utter fool of himself.

Are you going to say anything? Kaveh had asked, brows furrowed and feet anxiously tapping the floor.

Alhaitham had asked if Kaveh wanted him to say anything.

 I don’t know, Kaveh had muttered. I just thought you should know.

The two of them have been together for a month now.

Together is a strong word. It had taken several days to determine the precise nature of their relationship, and several more to decide on boundaries. They share a bed some nights, and sleep in their own rooms on others. They sometimes hold hands, but not always. They sit next to each other on the couch while Alhaitham reads and Kaveh works on his blueprints, and Alhaitham will rest his head on Kaveh’s shoulder because Kaveh has said he could, and Kaveh will run his fingers through Alhaitham’s hair because Alhaitham has said he was okay with it.

They also frequently bicker, but that was a given no matter what relationship they were going to end up in. At least the bickering is lighter now, more playful. Kaveh no longer stomps out of the room when aggravated and Alhaitham has stopped being so harsh with his words.

The term they have settled on is ‘companions’. Alhaitham does not need to define their relationship in the eyes of the law, or the eyes of the average Sumerian citizen. All of Sumeru thinks he and Kaveh are married, anyway. At least one of Alhaitham’s coworkers is convinced that Kaveh’s sentient toolbox, Mehrak, is their daughter.

Kaveh, however, does feel a need to explain their relationship to others. Specifically, to his mother.

“I don’t know what to tell her!” Kaveh cries. He sits at his drafting table, hunched over the letter he’s attempting to write. “I want to tell her about us. I just don’t know how to explain it in a way she’d understand.”

Alhaitham hums, stepping behind Kaveh and trying to figure out if he can place a hand on his shoulder or not. Even now, he isn’t sure. “What are you worried about?”

“Well…” Kaveh spins around in his chair to face Alhaitham, folding his arms. The opportunity for Alhaitham to touch him is now gone, so he sits down on the bed as Kaveh speaks. “My mom is… very traditional about romance, I guess. She always talked about my dad as if they were soulmates or star-crossed lovers, and when I started dating, she’d go on and on about ‘the one’.”

Alhaitham hums. “Even if the Rhtawahist theories are true, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the stars are tying you to someone romantically.”

“I know that!” Kaveh snaps. Clearly harsher than he meant to, since he reaches for Alhaitham’s hand afterwards. The gesture hangs awkwardly between them, a bandage placed over wounds ancient and deep.

“I’m just…” He takes his hand back, rubs at the back of his neck. “I’m worried she won’t be understanding of our relationship. I want to tell her.”

Frowning, Alhaitham wonders if he would be allowed to take Kaveh’s hand again. “So it should suffice to say that we are simply in a relationship. Unless you would like to write an expository essay explaining the intricacies of it to her, complete with citations.”

Kaveh pauses. “Citations?”

Alhaitham doesn’t miss a beat. “Of course. Using historical examples of relationships with a similar structure as reference, obviously.”

Kaveh rolls his eyes. “Obviously.”

<><><>

No essay is written. But a week later, Faranak invites the two of them to visit her in Fontaine. Two weeks after the invitation, Alhaitham finds himself on a boat with Kaveh, looking over the sparkling water and trying to focus on his book between the occasional bout of seasickness. The air smells of salt, and birds screech overhead.

Kaveh can’t keep still, pacing back and forth as he fidgets with his rings. “What if she doesn’t like you? What if she– I don’t know, tries to set me up with someone else romantically? She was nice in her letters, but she clearly didn’t understand the idea of a non-romantic partnership–”

“This likely won’t be as bad as you think it will,” Alhaitham says. “You have a tendency to overthink things.”

Kaveh glances at the horizon, where the faint outline of Romaritime Harbor comes into view. “You don’t know that,” he snaps. There’s no real bite behind his words, just worry. “I know you don’t care what other people think, but can you please try to… I don’t know. Make a good impression on her?”

Alhaitham follows his gaze. “I can’t control what your mother thinks of me. I can be civil, and she can draw her own conclusions from that. Is that enough for you?”

Kaveh’s hesitance is palpable. “...yeah.”

Putting his book down, Alhaitham hesitantly stands up and takes Kaveh’s hand in his. He’s never quite certain what he’s supposed to do after that – he’s seen romantic partners kiss each other’s hands, or kiss while holding hands, but Kaveh seems to have expressed a non-interest in both of those things and Alhaitham doesn’t care for them either.

He settles for running his thumb along Kaveh’s palm and squeezing his hand. Kaveh squeezes back, offering a tense smile. “Thanks,” he murmurs.

Alhaitham’s lips quirk. “They say that earnest thanks should be given thrice, you know.”

In response, he gets that sour look of Kaveh’s that seems to be reserved for Alhaitham and Alhaitham alone.

Behind it, Alhaitham can see the fondness in Kaveh’s eyes.

He returns to his book, but keeps his hand in Kaveh’s.

<><><>

Alhaitham leans against Kaveh’s shoulder for the rest of the boat ride, their hands intertwined and Kaveh’s leg placed over Alhaitham’s. Occasionally, Kaveh will point out some animal breaching the surface of the water in the distance, and Alhaitham will begrudgingly lift his head to look.

When they step off the boat, they are greeted by Faranak, who immediately runs up to Kaveh and wraps him in a hug he seems ill-prepared for.

It’s immediately clear that this is Kaveh’s mother. They have the same hair, the same eyes, even the same taste in excessive, elaborate accessories. Faranak’s face is more weathered, though, her hair longer and greying at the edges. Her jewelry clinks as she releases Kaveh, muttering something about how he’s grown up so much.

The two exchange greetings before Faranak notices Alhaitham. “Oh!” she exclaims. “And who is this handsome young man with you?”

Kaveh motions for Alhaitham to stand closer, which he does. “This is Alhaitham! I told you about him in my letters.”

Faranak next offers a handshake to Alhaitham. She makes direct eye contact, he notices unpleasantly. More direct than most people, like she’s looking directly at his eyes instead of in the general direction of them. It’s especially uncomfortable with how close to Kaveh’s eyes they are. He stares at her chin instead, something his grandmother taught him. He’s found that most people don’t notice if he does this. The sages certainly don’t.

A beat passes before Alhaitham remembers the outstretched hand. He shakes it begrudgingly, and only because this is Kaveh’s mom and Kaveh had stressed the importance of the two of them getting along.

Her hand is clammy and slightly sticky, and he wipes his own inconspicuously against his pants after they break contact. Faranak doesn’t break eye contact with him the whole time.

“So you’re my son’s boyfriend, then?”

“Companion would be the more accurate term,” he corrects, gaze flicking to Kaveh.

Faranak’s face shifts, the side of her mouth scrunching in the same way Kaveh’s does when he’s confused. “So you’re… one of those, er, theys? Is that what they call themselves now?”

“No, no,” Kaveh interrupts. “I’ll explain on the way to our hotel, okay? Let’s get going. Mehrak, can you carry our luggage?”

Faranak nods, clapping when Kaveh demonstrates Mehrak’s levitation function. As the three of them head to the hotel they’ve booked, Kaveh attempts to explain their relationship, gesturing with his hands as he stumbles over his words. Faranak’s expression grows more confused with each passing moment.

“So you’re friends,” she says with a dismissive shrug. “There’s no need to get fancy with it. Plenty of friends live together.”

Alhaitham sighs, irritation prickling at his skin. Kaveh’s explanation, though awkward, was perfectly understandable. “Our relationship exists outside the standard societal model of a ‘friendship’. Thus, the labels we have settled on are quite accurate. Kaveh is my companion and partner, and I am his. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have to check into our hotel.”

Faranak’s face holds the kind of perplexed annoyance that Alhaitham is used to seeing on people like the sages, the kind that usually indicated that they were going to be difficult about leaving his office.

He takes Kaveh’s hand, feels the warmth of Kaveh’s calloused fingers wrapping around his own.

“We don’t want to be late,” Kaveh says apologetically. His expression indicates that he has more to say to both of them, but he cuts it short. “We’ll– uh, meet up with you once we get settled, okay?”

Faranak nods awkwardly, and then Kaveh is dragging Alhaitham out of Faranak’s earshot, motioning for Mehrak to keep up with them. Once he seems to have judged that they’re a sufficient distance away from his mother, he elbows Alhaitham, who pauses.

“Did I do something to deserve that?”

“You know exactly what you did!” Kaveh hisses. “I told you to at least try to get along with my mother. I want her to like you, Haitham. Which means you can’t just cut off a conversation like that!”

Alhaitham folds his arms. “That conversation was going nowhere. And I don’t feel like playing a part I’m not for the benefit of your mother. It’s enough to know that you love me for who I am.”

“Unfortunately,” Kaveh mutters, but his tone is fond.

It’s Alhaitham’s turn to elbow him now, a faint smile playing over his face as he regards Kaveh. “I’m not interested in affection that requires me to be someone else,” Alhaitham says quietly as they approach the hotel. “It doesn’t bother me if your mother’s opinion of me is negative.”

Kaveh sighs, hurt seeping into his voice. “It bothers me.”

There are a lot of things that bother Kaveh, Alhaitham has noticed. There are a lot of things about Alhaitham that bother Kaveh. Such as his taste in interior decor, or the difficulty in reading his expressions, or the way he refuses to make himself easily palatable to others, even Kaveh.

They don’t fight as much as they used to, but still, their sharp edges brush up against each other too much to be comfortable.

They don’t talk on the way to their room. Not until their luggage is put away and Alhaitham is left staring at the silhouette of Kaveh against the window, the fading rays of the sun catching his hair and jewelry and turning him into something almost ethereal.

Physical beauty has never played any part in Alhaitham’s love for Kaveh. But Kaveh is, undeniably, beautiful.

“I apologize for what I said earlier,” Alhaitham says, walking up to Kaveh. “It was callous of me and didn’t consider your feelings. I’ll… try not to prove points or cut off conversations with your mother at dinner.”

“Thanks,” Kaveh murmurs. He then allows Alhaitham to hug him from behind, which quickly becomes a regular hug before Kaveh guides them both to the couch, resting his head on Alhaitham’s shoulder with a sigh.

“I don’t want you to be someone you’re not,” he says quietly. “I just… I don’t want her to see you the way the rest of Sumeru does.”

Alhaitham nods, even though the negative public perception of himself is something he’s intentionally encouraged in order to keep people from engaging in meaningless chatter with him.

“Come here,” Kaveh whispers, drawing Alhaitham’s head to his shoulder and running fingers through his hair. Alhaitham melts into the touch, humming softly.

He’s never been one for physical contact. But he’s found that with Kaveh, he doesn’t mind it, even enjoys it. Despite this, it’s still taken him some time to get used to it. Kaveh can be very touchy sometimes, especially when tipsy, but Alhaitham has always leaned away from contact.

He doesn’t feel the need to do that now. Not with Kaveh.

It’s strange, how quickly these things change.

<><><>

Faranak’s manner is stiff as she joins them for dinner. They’re eating at a smaller cafe, because all the popular ones were too crowded, and Kaveh had pointed out that Alhaitham wouldn’t be able to listen to their conversations with the noise-cancelling of his earpieces turned up.

This seemed to sour Faranak’s mood somewhat, though she seems to have recovered by now. She converses with Kaveh about his latest projects as Alhaitham steals food off his partner’s plate – they ordered different things, after all, and Alhaitham is curious to try Kaveh’s dish, some kind of layered pasta listed on the menu as lasagna.

Kaveh smacks his fork away after Alhaitham makes off with a large bite, causing Faranak to unexpectedly laugh.

“You two are just like a married couple!” she exclaims. “Always bickering. It’s so adorable.”

Alhaitham frowns. First they were just friends, and now they’re a married couple? Kaveh doesn’t seem affected, swirling the wine in his glass before speaking. “That’s what our neighbors said, too. They would always go on about how ‘I was so lucky to have such a sweet husband’ and similar things. I always thought they were seeing a different Alhaitham than the one I was living with, since back then I thought he was nothing more than an ass.”

“You’ll have to forgive me,” Faranak says. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around this… partnership of yours. We never did anything like this when I was young. Will you get married? Have children? It sounds like… well, to me it sounds like it’s more than a friendship, but less than romance. Is that correct?”

“Sort of?” Kaveh says with a hesitant laugh. “It’s– well, I don’t really think of it as in between– I’ve always liked to think of it as something else entirely, but…”

Kaveh trails off, and Alhaitham feels himself tense. He himself has never seen their relationship as less than romance. Does Kaveh see their relationship as lesser? Or is he just agreeing with Faranak to minimize conflict?

Alhaitham had assumed Kaveh was happy in their relationship. Content. But now, there exists the distinct possibility that he is not.

If Kaveh isn’t happy, what are the chances he would tell Alhaitham?

Or would he stay here, wanting more, sacrificing himself for Alhaitham’s own happiness?

Faranak taps her utensil against the table, similar to how Kaveh will tap his fingers against a surface while thinking. “Is it meant to be a replacement for a relationship?” she asks. “Wouldn’t something feel– missing?”

Usually, Alhaitham would be confident with an easy reply of no. This relationship is exactly as he wants – nothing more, nothing less.

But it may not be exactly as Kaveh wants, and so he waits for Kaveh to reply instead.

Kaveh squirms under their shared gazes. “What– why are you putting me on the spot here? Alhaitham’s the one who– who…”

If you aren’t happy, you can tell me.

Alhaitham has always known that he does not love in the way the rest of Teyvat loves. He has never craved romance, only his peaceful life. And, eventually, Kaveh’s companionship.

Kaveh has always struggled with untangling his emotions. It’s entirely possible he’s since realized his feelings for Alhaitham were romantic, but never said anything.

The silence stretches thin across the table, and Alhaitham returns to his food until Kaveh elbows him gently. Too late, he realizes this was a prompt to say something, to respond to Faranak.

“Nothing feels missing for me,” Alhaitham says after he finishes chewing. “If you have further questions, you can save them for later. It’s difficult to converse while eating.”

Faranak gives him an irked look, and it’s so close to Kaveh’s irked look that Alhaitham has to do a double take.

“O-okay,” she says, her lips pursed into a tight line. “I do have more questions. But I suppose we could eat instead. Do you really not talk to each other during dinner? My husband and I always er… ‘converse while eating’, as you put it.”

Kaveh shakes his head. “I talk a lot more than Alhaitham does. He usually listens to me ramble about whatever commission I’ve taken on, or what the latest gossip in Sumeru City is.”

“This is why you never finish eating,” Alhaitham points out. Kaveh huffs, and then asks Faranak about her work in Fontaine, and the conversation turns away from the matter of their relationship.

Alhaitham’s mind stays on the topic.

He has never seen his inability to love in the way most of Teyvat loves as reason for grief before. Has never thought himself deficient, or broken.

But he does, for the briefest of moments, consider the possibility that his quiet, abnormal love is not enough for Kaveh.

<><><>

As night blankets the skies of Fontaine, they return to the hotel, Alhaitham returning to his book as Kaveh goes through his lengthy nighttime routine.

Alhaitham feels Kaveh’s touch against his shoulder a few minutes later, before Kaveh slides under the covers and presses himself against Alhaitham’s side. “Turn off the lights soon,” he murmurs. “I’m still… tired from the boat.”

“The boat and your horrendous sleeping habits,” Alhaitham points out. He’s still thinking about their conversation with Faranak at dinner.

“You–” Kaveh hisses. “Argh. It’s too late for this, Haitham.”

Careful not to jostle Kaveh, Alhaitham reaches out to lower the brightness of the lamp. He turns back to Kaveh, brushing stray hairs out of his eyes. “Kaveh?”

“Mm?”

“Are you content?”

Kaveh’s only response is a soft hum. His breathing has evened out, quiet and steady. Slowly, his hand finds Alhaitham’s in the dark.

Alhaitham hesitates, unsure if he should move closer or not.

They usually cuddle on the nights when they share a bed, but tonight, Alhaitham is grappling with the realization that Kaveh might not want their relationship as it is.

If Kaveh isn’t happy, it’s because this relationship is… less than what he wants. Not cuddling would only further isolate him. And even if it’s not the kind of love Kaveh may be wanting, Alhaitham still feels the need to make it clear to Kaveh that he is loved.

Gently, Alhaitham wraps his arms around Kaveh, who makes a surprised noise before settling into the embrace.

This isn’t how they usually cuddle – Alhaitham prefers to be held, something that had greatly surprised Kaveh at the start of their relationship. Alhaitham is usually only the one doing the holding when Kaveh is upset, stressed, tipsy, or all three.

Kaveh doesn’t often allow himself to receive comfort, but for now, he’s allowing it. Alhaitham presses his nose into Kaveh’s shoulder and closes his eyes, a small part of him wondering if maybe, this could be the last time he holds Kaveh like this.

<><><>

They wake up tangled together the next morning, as they often do, Kaveh running his fingers through Alhaitham’s hair as sunlight trickles in through the curtains.

Alhaitham blinks, vision fuzzy from sleep. When this causes Kaveh to pause playing with his hair, he closes his eyes again, hoping it will cause Kaveh to resume. Kaveh only ruffles his hair before pulling away, leaving a depressingly empty space in the bed where he used to be.

Kaveh usually stays longer. 

Alhaitham is aware he may be overthinking things. Overthinking things is usually Kaveh’s domain, not his.

“Kaveh,” Alhaitham begins. Kaveh turns, halfway through putting on his cloak. “About what your mother was saying–”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Kaveh snaps.

Alhaitham’s fists curl into the blanket as he sits up. “You can have something different, if that’s what you want. You can want something different.”

“Archons!” Kaveh cries. His jewelry clatters as he throws his hands in the air with a huff, looking away from Alhaitham. “No– it’s– look. We can talk about this later, but I’m fine, Alhaitham. I know you never believe me when I say this, but it’s just an issue with my mother. It’s nothing you’ve done.”

“That’s what I’m concerned about,” Alhaitham says. “That there’s something I haven’t done. I want you to be clear with me if your expectations for our relationship change. If there’s something you have an interest in me doing, I’d appreciate you letting me know.”

Kaveh scoffs. “Says the man who probably hasn’t done the dishes in a month.”

Alhaitham hums. “Hardly my fault that you get around to them before I do, dear senior. Besides, I’m still covering your tab at Lambad’s. I think that takes care of the dishes.”

Though Kaveh flips him off, there’s a faint smile playing over his face.

“You’re infuriating,” Kaveh murmurs. “I love you, Haitham.”

Looking up into his companion’s crimson eyes from his seat on the bed, all that Alhaitham can manage is a quiet I know.

<><><>

There isn’t a chance for Alhaitham to bring up the topic again with Kaveh that morning. Instead, Faranak takes them on a tour of the Court of Fontaine, pointing out which buildings have her architectural touch or follow specific historical styles. 

Kaveh is fascinated, constantly moving or snapping his fingers as they walk. Alhaitham’s interest is captured less by the subject of architecture, but because it’s Kaveh’s passion and he loves Kaveh, he pays attention just enough that he’ll be able to ask Kaveh questions about it later in the day.

Alhaitham has always been enamoured with the way Kaveh’s eyes light up when he talks about something he loves, how vibrant and alive and passionate he is.

But Alhaitham always wears down faster than Kaveh. He’s learned through careful experience that his energy runs out faster, that he requires more time to rest after a long day. And, unlike Kaveh, who frequently ignores his own needs, Alhaitham has no qualms about voicing his.

“I’m getting tired,” he says as they pass through a crowded street. “I’d like to head back soon.”

“Really?” Faranak asks. “There’s so much more to see!”

Kaveh frowns, looking between Alhaitham and his mother. “Maybe we could take a break? It’s about time for lunch, anyway.”

Alhaitham nods, and lets Faranak lead the three of them to a hole-in-the-wall cafe where he promptly collapses into the corner chair, turns the noise-cancelling of his earpieces up, and closes his eyes. He feels Kaveh’s touch against his side a moment later.

“Is he okay?” Faranak asks, her voice muffled.

“He needs a break,” Kaveh explains. The sound reaches Alhaitham faintly through his earpieces as he tilts himself to lean against Kaveh. “Usually when he gets home from work, he naps for an hour. He, uh, turned his noise-cancelling earpieces on, so he can’t hear us right now. He’ll turn them off when he’s feeling better.”

Alhaitham clearly forgot to turn them up all the way – as evidenced by the fact that he can most definitely still hear the two of them – but he is curious to hear what they say about him when they think he isn’t listening.

“He’s… odd,” Faranak notes. “He’s like his parents, that’s for sure. I can never tell what he’s thinking or feeling, and he never looks me in the eye. I don’t think he looks you in the eye either, honey. And those earpieces – I swear he has them on while people are talking to him.”

“That’s just Alhaitham,” he hears Kaveh say. “He’s… hard to understand. Most people don’t put in the effort.”

Alhaitham has not given most people reason to put in the effort.

He has probably not given Faranak much reason to.

“This… roommates… companions thing…”

There’s a slight waver in Faranak’s tone, her voice muted through the earpieces. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Not in the long term. You’re going to want a real partner.”

Kaveh sputters something, then falls silent. As curious as Alhaitham is to hear Kaveh’s unfiltered reaction to this, Kaveh’s comfort comes first, and so he reaches for Kaveh’s hand and gives it a squeeze.

By the time he turns the earpieces off, he’s certain that Kaveh can tell that he was eavesdropping. But, for some reason, neither of them choose to say anything about it.

<><><>

They only spend another hour exploring the city before Alhaitham decides he just wants to go back to the hotel, with or without Kaveh.

And since Kaveh still wants to explore, he goes back without him.

Alhaitham naps until the sky turns dark, then moves to the balcony to read, enjoying the night sky and fresh air. He’s still absorbed in his book by the time Kaveh opens the sliding door to the balcony and taps him on the shoulder.

“You’re back,” Alhaitham notes. “How was the rest of your adventure? I assume you must have been having fun without me.”

He does not mean for the comment to come across as passive aggressive, but something uncertain flicks over Kaveh’s face anyway.

“What’s gotten into you?” Kaveh asks, frowning. “You’ve been acting… weird, lately.”

Alhaitham stares out at the Court of Fontaine: the people chatting with linked arms, the streetlamps flickering, the awkward motions of the meka. The stars above remain glittering and impartial. He turns to Kaveh.

“Are you content?”

Kaveh seems taken aback; clearly, he had been expecting a different question. “With what?” he asks. “I mean, I’m largely content with my current life. My clients haven’t been asking for unreasonable things lately, my financial situation is stable, and I have you. Is there a reason I wouldn’t be content?”

“I’m asking–” Alhaitham feels his knuckles tighten against the spine of the book. His mouth tastes of something sour. “If you are content with me. In our relationship.”

“Is there a reason I wouldn’t be?”

The current evidence suggests Kaveh isn’t. Yet the architect’s face is painted with genuine confusion at the prospect.

Alhaitham crosses one leg over the other and looks up at Kaveh. He swallows, forces himself to speak. “Would you prefer a romantic relationship over our current one?”

Kaveh frowns. His hands grow restless, tugging at the fabric of his blouse. “No. Of course not. Is that what this is about?”

“You often prioritize the happiness of others over yourself,” Alhaitham explains. “I was the one to suggest the non-romantic aspect of our relationship. If you need something different, I want you to let me know. I don’t want you to be tolerating–”

“Alhaitham.”

Alhaitham blinks. He glances down to his shoulder, where Kaveh’s hand now rests.

“Look at me,” Kaveh says. “I know you hate eye contact so you don’t have to do that, just– look at my earrings or necklace. Something like that. I love you, Haitham. It’s not romantic, and I don’t want a romantic relationship. I just want you. I don’t need kisses or flowers or anything like that.”

His grip on Alhaitham’s shoulder tightens, warmth bleeding through the fabric of his shirt. 

“I want to hold your hand. To drink coffee with you in the mornings. To give you a hug when we both get back from work, and sit next to you on the couch while I work on blueprints and you read a book. To sleep next to you sometimes. That’s all.”

Alhaitham stands up.

He does not say anything. He knows over twenty languages, but none of the words he could use feel right. So instead of speaking, Alhaitham takes an unsteady step forwards and wraps his arms around Kaveh, pulling him closer until all that remains is warmth and softness and the floral smell of the soap Kaveh likes to use.

“I love you,” Kaveh whispers. “I love you so much, Haitham. Even though you drive me crazy and you buy the ugliest decorations known to man.”

Alhaitham chuckles softly, relaxing his hold on Kaveh. “Maybe you’re just incapable of appreciating their aesthetic value.”

“Impossible,” Kaveh scoffs, a smile breaking over his face. “They have none.”

“You often claim art is meant to inspire emotion,” Alhaitham points out. “I would argue the aranara carving I recently acquired had a significant emotional impact on you.”

“The impact was rage!” Kaveh cries. “Rage and disgust, Haitham!”

Alhaitham smirks. “Then it has achieved its artistic purpose within our home.”

Kaveh gapes, looking ready to throttle him. “I– I knew you bought those things to annoy me! Honestly, the things I put up with! I take everything back. You’re finding your own hotel room tonight.”

What actually happens is that they head back inside together, hand in hand. Kaveh sketches the view out their window while Alhaitham reads, and then Kaveh curls up next to Alhaitham and they talk about architecture until Alhaitham nods off.

Kaveh pulls him close, and keeps him there.

<><><>

A day later, Faranak asks to speak with Alhaitham.

It’s raining today, a cold, miserable affair so unlike Sumeru’s humid showers. Faranak laughs it off as a regular day in Fontaine, but Alhaitham intensely dislikes the idea of being cold and wet at the same time.

“We aren’t here to talk about the weather,” he points out. They sit on the couch, Kaveh having gone off on a quest to find the three of them dinner. “And I have a book I would like to finish. What is it you wanted to talk about?”

Faranak seems irked at his reply, her eyebrow twitching.

“Kaveh talked to me earlier, you know,” she begins. “And… I wanted to apologize for the way I treated your relationship.”

Alhaitham nods. “No harm was done to me. Kaveh has likely already made you aware that I don’t often give much thought to the way others perceive me.”

“He did,” Faranak says with a laugh. “I do think my words hurt him far more. He’s always cared a lot about what other people think. It’s funny, how different the two of you are. And as much of the two of you bicker, I can see how much you love each other. I still don’t understand your relationship, but you’ve clearly given Kaveh a sense of security and stability that… I, as his mother, failed to give him.”

She lets the silence hang for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. Alhaitham is familiar with the baggage between her and Kaveh, the years of unhealed wounds and unspoken pain.

“I may be… displeased with your bluntness,” Faranak continues. “But you make Kaveh happy in a way he hasn’t been in a long time.”

Kaveh makes Alhaitham feel that way as well, but he’s never been one to disclose his emotions to anyone but Kaveh. “I’m glad that’s the case.”

Faranak seems to realize Alhaitham doesn’t intend to say any more, standing up and brushing off her dress. “Well, that’s all I wanted to say. I suppose you still aren’t one for conversation, so I’ll let you get back to your book now.”

Alhaitham nods. “I appreciate that.”

<><><>

“You mean a lot to me,” Alhaitham admits a day later, toying with a strand of Kaveh’s hair. It’s late in the evening, the two of them having spent the day riding an aquabus to a picturesque lake where Kaveh had insisted on having a picnic. Now, they’re back at the hotel, blankets pulled over their shoulders.

Kaveh hums softly. “You can just say you love me, you know.”

Alhaitham nods, wrapping his arm around Kaveh, who snuggles into the embrace. “Is that what you want me to say?”

“Mm,” Kaveh murmurs. “Yeah, I’d like you to say it.”

In two days from now, they’ll be going home. Alhaitham will go back to the Akademiya and Kaveh will work on his blueprints again, and they will sit on the couch in the afternoons and bask in the presence of each other.

All that Alhaitham has ever wanted is a peaceful life. A peaceful life, and Kaveh.

“I love you,” he says, and closes his eyes.